Materials
Natural Stone
Examples of natural stone are: granite, marble, onyx, slate, limestone and soapstone. They are from the Earth and are not mixed with any type of resin or chemicals. Most of these need to be sealed because they are naturally porous materials. Fissures also occur naturally in many stone types, which can cause them to be easily chipped, cracked and scratched. Some natural stones such as marble or soapstone are softer than other materials and can be easily etched or scratched. All natural stone materials are available in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness.
2 cm-The 2 cm thick stone is approximately 3/4" thick, ranging from 5/8" to 7/8" in thickness. This is most commonly used on the West Coast and is readily available in many colors and finishes. The edge profiles are created by laminating 2 pieces together to give a finished standard profile of a 1 ½”. A common misunderstanding is that 3 cm material is stronger; however, 2 cm carries the same strength when properly supported by sub-decking.
3 cm-The 3 cm is approximately 1 3/16", and can range from 1 1/16" to 1 5/16" thick. This is most commonly used on the East Coast. Most often is fabricated without a laminated edge, leaving your profile slightly thinner than a finished 2 cm material. 3 cm material is rare and not available in every color of natural stone. It also tends to be a more expensive option.
Basalt - Basalt was formed millions of years ago when volcanic lava fell into the ocean. It is a fine-grained black stone that nearly as hard as diamond. Basalt is only available in black or dark grey. It is a natural "green" product and doesn't require any finish or sealer. Basalt is impossible to scratch, it is oil and grease resistant, and will not create dust.
Granite- A natural stone that is mined from the Earth and cut into slabs. It is a very porous material that needs to be sealed at least once a year to prevent bacteria from growing. Over time, each color of granite may get one shade darker or lighter and will change its hue slightly. Granite can crack from a strong heat source such as extremely hot pans or dishes. Small cracks or chips may require resin injection and polishing, a job best left to professionals. Pitting is common with granite so you must be prepared for how the stone will age. Fissures also occur naturally in many stone types. If you are looking for something different, take a look at leathered or antiqued slabs. This finish comes in a matte finish with a slight texture, making your kitchen entirely unique.
Limestone- Limestone is made from calcite and fossils. Like granite, it is porous, but there are several types of limestone and not all are equally as porous. Some limestone formations are dense, which means liquid has a hard time penetrating the surface. There is also special sealer that is available to prevent staining the countertop. If staining were to occur, you can easily remove them with oxygen bleach. Acidic foods and vinegar can etch the limestone if left on for a long period.
Marble- Marble is a non
foliated metamorphic rock. It is mostly composed of
calcite. Marble is available in a large range of colors, the most popular being: white, tan, blue-gray, and black. It is very porous and needs to be sealed often. It can be very hard to protect your marble countertop from staining, especially by colored liquids. Marble is ideal for baking and kneading bread, but is not heat resistant, so it’s best to use hot pads or trivets while cooking.
Onyx- Onyx is now becoming a popular choice for kitchen countertops. It is a natural stone that is considered to be semi-precious. It is available in white to deep, dark colors and has a translucent appearance. In fact, many can be back lit. Onyx is used in kitchen backsplashes as well as sinks, wash basins and tiles. It is a soft stone similar to limestone and can scratch and stain easily. It requires a sealer like many other natural stones. It tends to be an expensive choice.
Soapstone- Soapstone is a metamorphic rock that consists of talc, steatite, magnesite, quartz, and other magnesium rich minerals and it is quarried like Granite and Marble. As talc in soapstone is soft to the touch, it gives the smooth feeling of rubbing a piece of dry soap. Thus the name was derived - "Soap" Stone. We only use Grade A, which is the hardest and the best quality soapstone available. Soapstone is naturally non-porous. This means that soapstone will not stain or harbor bacteria. It will also not etch from harsh chemicals, lemon, red wine, and vinegar. Soapstone comes in three base colors: green gray, blue gray and Brazilian Black. Upon installation, the stone can be sealed with mineral oil or a sealant to add shine, or left to age naturally. Mineral oil can be used and will bring out a charcoal to black color. The natural lighter quartz veining becomes more vivid against the dark background. Soapstone is always a 3cm product.
Travertine-Travertine is formed by the precipitation of a
carbonate mineral solution, which is found in ground and surface waters and/or geothermally heated hot-springs. It is very porous, but consists of very fine grains. Travertine can vary in color within the slab, but it typically comes in beige cream or yellow, gold and yellow, and walnut. If using travertine in kitchens and baths, it is highly recommended to fill the visible pores. You should also seal travertine countertops regularly, as they are very susceptible to stains. It is available in: honed, tumbled, and polished finishes. Travertine is soft to the touch and holds a very aged and classic look.
Engineered Stone
A product that is man-made, but created with 93% quartz stone and 7% resin. Engineered quartz is more than twice as strong as granite and is maintenance free. It is also heat resistant, stain resistant, non-porous, and mold and mildew resistant. It has an even pattern and more color options than natural stone. Natural quartz is found in great abundance in the Earth- it is second only to water as the most common mineral-based form on our planet. It is naturally hard and scratch resistant. Only diamonds, topaz, and sapphire are harder than quartz. The raw quartz crystals used to create quartz countertops range in size from coarse grains to the size of rock salt. Once they are selected and ground, the crystals are combined with bonding agents and color, then heated and vibrated to form an impenetrable surface. The resulting slabs are quartz matrix that will not develop fissures or cracks and does not require sealant. This creates a beautiful and maintenance free countertop.
Caesarstone- It is compromised of 93% natural quartz, one of nature’s strongest minerals. It is resistant to scratches, stains, heat, and most household chemicals. It does not need a sealant and clean-up requires only soap and water. The look of Caesarstone has a modern feeling with colors ranging from nearly solid colors to surfaces with stone aggregates. Caesarstone is the first quartz brand to mimic natural stone with a slight veined appearance in select colors. Check out their new recycled colors. This product has a lifetime warranty. It is manufactured in Israel.
Cambria- It is compromised of natural quartz. It is resistant to stains and is certified by NSF International for use as a food preparation surface. Every slab is manufactured in Minnesota, USA. Cambria is certified by Greenguard as a low-emitting product for indoor air quality and is suitable for school environments. The look of Cambria’s Quarry Collection resembles quarry cut stone, such as granite. The Desert Collection is made up of monochromatic hues found in nature. The Classic Collection is made up of aggregates of quartz. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Chroma- It is compromised of 93% quartz, making it resistant to scratches, stains, and heat. Chroma takes its colors from popular brands of quartz and makes them more affordable. Colors range from cool, neutral, and warm. This designer friendly product has a 15 year warranty. Every slab is stocked locally and available for viewing prior to purchase.
Compac- It is compromised of natural quartz and resin. It is resistant to heat, scratches, impact and buckling, oils, acidic products, and liquids. It is also resistant to mold and bacteria growth, making it a safe choice for a countertop. Compac is low maintenance and easy to clean. It comes in thirty-five colors ranging from the natural look to the mirrored speckled ultra-modern. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Eurostone- It is compromised of 93% Quartz material and 7% polyester resin binder to produce a recomposed material with physical properties and performance characteristics better than natural stone. The process entails vibro-compression under vacuum at high pressure, and then hardened further in hot catalyst chambers. The hot catalyzed polyester resin renders excellent impact resistance, flexural strength, soaking resistance, resistance to acids, abrasives and wear. Eurostone is stain, scratch, chip, mold and mildew, heat, and chemical resistant. It has four times the flexural strength and two times the impact resistance of granite. It is maintenance free. It comes in sixty colors including Earth tones and vibrant solid colors. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Hanstone- It is compromised of fine natural quartz. It is resistant to scratches, stains, heat, and bacteria. It does not need a sealant and clean-up requires only soap and water. Hanstone is certified by Greenguard as a low-emitting product for indoor air quality and is suitable for school environments. Colors range from neutrals to earth tones. This product has a 10 year warranty.
LG Viatera-It is compromised of 93% natural quartz. It is resistant to stains, scratches, chips, cracks, mold, mildew, heat and burns. Viatera offers twenty-two designer colors inspired by earth tones. This product has a 15 year warranty.
Silestone- It is compromised of natural quartz. It is created with Microban, which inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew. There is a large range of colors from neutrals, earth tones, and even neon. Several colors are available in a leathered finish. Canadian designer and HGTV’s host of Divine Design, Candace Olson, is the national spokeswoman for Cosentino North America and has used Silestone in her designs for years. Check out their eco friendly line. This product has a 15 year warranty.
Staron Radianz-It is compromised of 93% natural quartz and is combined with polyester resin and pigments, which gives the product superior performance. Staron Quartz is substantially harder than granite and is scratch resistant and non-porous. It is available in 14 colors. This product has a 10 year warranty and is transferrable to new a homeowner within that period.
Technistone-It is compromised of 93% natural quartz, quartz silica, granite, and in some series, recycled mirror, and is combined with seven percent binders, colors, and resin. It is resistant to stains, scratches, and heat. Any stain can be removed using a household cleaner such as Mr. Clean, 409, Simple Green, etc. Colors range from neutrals to rich colors. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Zodiaq-It is compromised of 93% quartz, which creates a tough product. It rates a seven out of ten on the hardness scale (diamonds have a rating of ten). It is resistant to heat, scratches, and staining. Zodiaq is
NSF/ANSI Standard 51 Certified for food contact and Class I(A) fire rated and Greenguard certified as a low-emitting material. The new Terra Collection contains 25% post-consumer recycled content. It comes in 54 Earth tones. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Acrylic
An acrylic product that is often referred to as Corian (as tissue paper is referred to as Kleenex). It can be made to look like granite, quartz, marble, and stainless steel. It is non-porous and stain and chemical resistant. Cuts, scrapes, and other marks can be easily removed with soap and water, mild abrasives, or by sanding and buffing so the surface is renewed to its matte, satin or gloss finish. Solid surface countertops offer seamless acrylic faces with seams that are only visible from the underside. With solid surfacing, sink and counter materials can be integrated to create a fluid, seamless, graceful line; leaving you with a sleek and low maintenance surface.
Corian- The original solid surfacing invented by Dupont over forty years ago. It is resistant to low amounts of heat, bacteria, mold, and mildew. Corian offers a palette of over one hundred thirty colors and patterns. It is softer than stone and as a result, it can be scratched or damaged by heat. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Hanex- It is resistant to low heat, hot water, stains, chemicals, and bacteria. Clean-up requires a damp cloth or sponge and stains can be removed with mild detergents. Colors are made to look like natural stone, wood, and come in solid neutrals. This product has a 15 year warranty.
LG Hi-Macs- It is resistant to stains, mold, mildew, and bacteria. If it is nicked, scratched, or stained, Hi-Macs can be restored to its original state. Normal cleaning requires a damp cloth and a mild cleanser. Hi-Macs, like all acrylic countertops, are not heat resistant and extreme high heat can cause yellowing. It comes in a variety of colors from solid neutral to a quartz and granite look. The Volcanics Collection is inspired by fossils from the Earth. The Eden Collection comes in Earth tones and is made from 12% recycled content, the only acrylic countertop that is easy on the environment. This product has a 15 year warranty.
Livingstone- It is resistant to hot water, stains, chemicals, and bacteria. High heat will discolor the countertop. The manufacturer distributes the material, which keeps the cost low and makes it the number one cost effective brand. The Escape Series is mostly neutrals and are inspired by nature. The Explorer Series is inspired by Earth tones. This product has a 15 year warranty.
Mystera- It is resistant to chemicals, stains, mold, and bacteria. Mystera delivers the look of natural stone with the benefits of solid surfacing. It is a cost effective alternative to natural stone and is easy to clean and repair. Because this product is designed to look like natural stone, seams are visible, but you cannot feel them. Colors include neutrals and Earth tones. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Staron- It is resistant to bacteria and moisture. Staron is certified by Greenguard as a low-emitting product for indoor air quality. It is durable and easy to clean and maintain. It is available in more than seventy colors. This product has a 10 year warranty.
Recycled
A product that is made up of recycled materials, such as glass, paper, or mirror. You can compare it in strength, scratch resistance, thermal resistance and durability to granite; however, acids can etch and tea and coffee can stain if the countertop is made with concrete. Sealant/penetrator can prevent these issues. A good recycled material tends to be more expensive than granite or quartz. Each piece is one of a kind and completely unique.
Green World Glass- It is made from recycled glass and a binder that is nearly 100% green. It is not made from cement, which means it is not porous and does not stain and requires no sealer. It is also made with Microban, an anti-microbial, coloration pigments and ultra-fine glass, giving the binder the appearance of being concrete. This product is safe for food preparation. It is stain resistant and acids will not etch this product. Colors include: neutrals to reds and blues. Green World Glass is always a 3 cm product.
IceStone- It is made from 100% recycled glass and cement. IceStone surfaces are cut, installed and maintained like mined stone. Spills need to be wiped up quickly and the surface needs to be dried. Spills left sitting may result in a stain. This product is not heat resistant and trivets are hot plates are needed as to not compromise the sealer. This product is not scratch resistant. Chemicals, vinegar, wine, and coffee need to be kept off of the countertop. Concrete or stone wax/polish needs to be applied two to three times a year. Colors include: neutrals to bold colors like red and purple. IceStone is always a 3 cm product.
Vetrazzo- It is made from one hundred percent recycled glass bottles, windshields, architectural windows, and a cement mixture called a matrix. If left on, acids such as red wine, lemon juice, and vinegar can etch the matrix and tea and coffee can stain. Every countertop is unique. There is a story in every surface. Variance in pattern, color, and distribution of glass are a part of its beauty. Colors include: blue, green, yellow, orange, brown, and clear glass. It is made in Northern California. This product has a 10 year warranty. Vetrazzo is always a 3 cm product.
Richlite- It is made from post consumer cardboard and waste paper. Richlite products are Greenguard certified for indoor use in residential, school, and institutional environments. They also contribute to LEED point. It is resistant to stains, scratches, and heat. As with most any materials, there is potential for some staining, particularly from red wines, juices, and mustard when left in contact for prolonged periods of time. Spills and light stains may be cleaned with soap and warm water and scrubbed with a soft bristle brush. The National Sanitation Foundation has certified Richlite for use as cutting boards with direct food contact in restaurants. Designers and architects often use Richlite because it enables the surface to accommodate long spans and cantilevers without extra support. The same material has been used for decades by the aerospace industry for tooling, the marine industry for fiberglass reinforcement and the action sports industry for outdoor skate ramp surfaces. It comes in 7 Earth tone colors.
Butcher Block
Butcher block countertops are made out of thick strips of hardwood glued together to form one solid piece. Popular wood choices for butcher block countertops are: maple, oak, cherry, and walnut, but any type of wood can be made into a butcher block countertop. When considering butcher block countertops, you need to decide if the countertop is for aesthetics or if you intend to cut on them. A butcher block that is sealed cannot be used for cutting directly on and will allow water damage to occur. The knife can ruin the sealer and leave scratches that cannot be easily sanded away. The sealer, however, does protect the countertop from water and helps the wood to maintain an even color. An unfinished or oil-finished butcher block is the best choice for cutting and chopping. Any stains or scratches on the countertop can be sanded away. A disadvantage of an unsealed butcher block is that it can warp or turn black from excess water, so areas near the sink and water supply should be sealed.
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